After Jakarta Attacks, Australian Government Warns Travelers Of Possible Terrorist Assaults In Indonesia

Indonesia's elite police commando belonging to Densus 88 raids a house of a suspected terrorist in Cirebon, located in western Java island, on Jan. 15, 2016, following the Jan. 14, 2016, bomb attacks in Jakarta. Photo: Getty Images/Getty Images/Stringer

The Australian government warned travelers Thursday to exercise extreme caution in Indonesia, including popular tourist spot Bali, due to the “high threat” of militant attacks. The advisory comes over a month after the Jakarta attacks, which claimed the lives of four civilians.

“Recent indications suggest that terrorists may be in the advanced stages of preparing attacks in Indonesia. … We continue to receive information that indicates that terrorists may be planning attacks in Indonesia. An attack could occur anywhere at any time. Be particularly vigilant at places of worship and during significant holiday periods,” the Australian government warned in the advisory.

The government did not provide details on the type of attack likely to be carried out. “The overall level of advice has not changed,” the advisory stated.

Australia issued a similar bulletin Sunday cautioning travelers of possible attacks in and around the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur. The South Asian country is on high alert after the Jan. 14 Jakarta attacks at a Starbucks coffee shop and in the streets. The Islamic State group, also known as ISIS, claimed responsibility for the attacks. Local Indonesian police reportedly said that the attackers took inspiration from the November 2015 Paris attacks that left 130 people dead.

Indonesia also stepped up its efforts to block websites that propagate extremist views. The country’s Ministry of Communication and Informatics blocked more than 780,000 websites in a bid to curb the spread of radicalism. To combat terrorism, the ministry is also reviewing social media posts and websites.